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Abutilon species - .

Common Name
Family Malvaceae
USDA hardiness 7-10
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Not known in the wild
Range Hybrids of garden origin involving several species, especially A. megapotanicum and A. pictum.
Edibility Rating    (3 of 5)
Other Uses    (0 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (0 of 5)
Care (info)
Frost Hardy Moist Soil Semi-shade Full sun
Abutilon species


(c) ken Fern, Plants For A Future 2010
Abutilon species
(c) ken Fern, Plants For A Future 2010

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of shrub
Abutilon species is an evergreen Shrub growing to 3 m (9ft) by 2 m (6ft).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 8. It is in leaf all year, in flower from April to September. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs).
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Habitats

Edible Uses

Flowers - raw or cooked. A delicious sweet flavour, they are excellent on their own or as part of a mixed salad[K]. The flowers produce nectar all the time they are open so, assuming the plant is grown indoors and is not visited by pollinating insects, the sweetness increases the longer the flower is open[K].

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.


None known

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

None known

Special Uses

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Requires a sunny position or part day shade in a fertile well-drained soil[200]. Dislikes drought[200]. All members of this genus have edible flowers - the leaves will also be edible but in our experience although they have a mild flavour the texture is not that pleasant. There has been much hybridisation within the genus by growers wishing to produce ornamental flowering plants and it is now rather difficult to assign species names for many of these cultivars. Consequently, this entry has been used to cover a range of hybrid forms of complex parentage involving several species but especially A. megapotanicum and A. pictum. Several cultivars are hardy in the mildest areas of Britain, tolerating temperatures down to about -5°c when given the protection of a south or south-west facing wall[11, 200]. Plants are often deciduous in cold winters[219]. A deep mulch in winter and tying in growth to the wall will maximise protection in winter[200]. If the plant is cut back by cold weather, it will normally resprout from the base in the spring and can flower on the current year's growth[202]. Dead-heading plants to prevent seeding can enhance longevity[200]. Tip-prune young plants to promote a bushy habit, older plants can be cut back hard annually as new growth commences in late winter or early spring if required[200]. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[200].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

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Propagation

Seed - sow spring in a greenhouse[200]. Germination should take place within a few weeks. Once the seedlings are large enough to handle, prick them out into individual pots. Grow them on for at least the first winter in a greenhouse and plant out in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. This species is a hybrid, so the seedlings will not be true to type. Cuttings of young shoots, June in a frame[200]. Grow on in the greenhouse for their first winter and plant out in spring after the last expected frosts. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, July/August in a frame[200]. Grow on in the greenhouse for their first winter and plant out in spring after the last expected frosts.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Plant Search

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Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Abutilon megapotamicumTrailing AbutilonShrub2.0 7-10 FLMHSNM400
Abutilon ochsenii Shrub4.0 7-10  LMHSNM30 
Abutilon pictumAbutilon, Parlour Maple, Flowering Maple, SpottedShrub5.0 8-10 MLMHSNM30 
Abutilon purpurascens Shrub2.4 8-11  LMHSNDM20 
Abutilon theophrastiChina Jute, Velvetleaf, Butterprint Buttonweed Jute, China Mallow, Indian Velvet LeafAnnual1.0 0-0  LMHSNDM324
Abutilon vitifolium Shrub8.0 7-10  LMHSNM30 
Abutilon x hybridumChinese Lantern, Flowering MapleShrub3.0 9-11 FLMHSNM300
Abutilon x milleriTrailing AbutilonShrub3.0 7-10  LMHSNM30 
Abutilon x suntense Shrub8.0 7-10 FLMHSNM30 

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

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Subject : Abutilon species  
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